A library makes a perfect home for a historic painting of a classic folk tale. When Cinderella defied her stepsisters and dared to attend the prince’s ball, all eyes were drawn to her when she walked in the door. I felt the same sense of awe the first time I saw her in the Main Library’s reading room. It was something magical. It’s hard to miss the massive 55” by 68.5” oil painting, in its ornate gilded frame, hanging prominently above the bookcases. Although some maydismiss it as simply decorative, this painting is no mere replica.
More: Need a new book to read? Check out these summer reading picks from the library
Cinderella and Her Sisters is an original work, painted around 1858 by Joseph Henri François Van Lerius, a notable artist of the Antwerp school in Belgium. The painting showed across Europe before making its way to the United States. There are records from galleries stateside as early as 1861. After its exhibition, the Fullertons, a pioneering family of Chillicothe, acquired the work.
Cinderella and Her Sisters remained on display for 116 years until last January. The piece was selected for a Conservation and Preservation grant through the State Library of Ohio, in partnership with the Ohio Preservation Council (OPC).
The Fullerton family lived in the historic Atwood House — just two blocks from the Main Library — for generations. Angus Lewis Fullerton Jr. was a civil engineer and architect in Chillicothe and served on the Library Board of Trustees. The new Carnegie-funded Library opened to the public in 1907 and was in operation for two years when Angus and his wife, Annie (Esler) Fullerton, generously donated the painting as a token of their appreciation for the establishment. I like to think the Fullertons knew that the story of Cinderella would be dear to the hearts of any librarian.
Especially since librarians possess a magic all their own.
Cinderella and Her Sisters remained on display for 116 years until last January. The piece was selected for a Conservation and Preservation grant through the State Library of Ohio, in partnership with the Ohio Preservation Council (OPC). The painting’s varnish had heavily oxidized and yellowed because of its age. The frame had sustained damage to the cast band of oak leaf and acorn ornament.
Since the beginning of this year, the framed painting has been in the care of Heather Galloway, owner and conservator of Galloway Art Conservation in Cleveland. The discolored varnish was cleaned, and replacement sections of the frame were molded and installed, painstakingly restoring the beauty beneath. Similar to the work of a fairy godmother.
After six months, we are excited to announce that the painting has made a safe return back to its home. To celebrate, The Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library invites you to a lecture with Dr. Andrew Shelton, a Professor in the Department of History of Art at The Ohio State University. Join us at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 in the Main Library Reference Room to explore the history and cultural significance of this breathtaking work.
Unfortunately, we here at the library cannot turn pumpkins into a golden carriage to take you to the prince’s ball. But we do host an Enchanted Library Ball of our own. We can’t provide patrons with fitted glass slippers, but we do have a clothing bank for children, operating throughout the school year. Our staff cannot turn well-loved clothes into jeweled gowns. But we do have a prom closet that provides access to dresses, suits, and accessories for those looking to dress up for their next dance. So maybe the Fullerton’s gift was far more fitting than even they realized.
Because I think all that is pretty magical.
This project was supported in whole or in part by federal Institute of Museum and Library Services funds, granted through the State Library of Ohio.
Kendra Kempton is the Grant Writing Coordinator for the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Library’s Cinderella painting has returned home after restoration
